NHSC prepares the big guns for ski series

  PRESQUE ISLE, Maine —The snow that has fallen over the last week is a welcome sight for the Nordic Heritage Center (NHC). It bodes well for what the organization will need by mid-December for the TAMC/TD Banknorth Eastern Cup Series Opener. On December 15, the NHC will host over 200 athletes for the event.    Of course, if the necessary amount of snow doesn’t come as expected, the Nordic Heritage Sport Club (NHSC) plans on bringing in the big guns—literally. In fact, the big gun is already here.
A few weeks ago John Farra, the vice president of the Maine Winter Sports Center, traveled downstate to tow back a “snow gun” for the purpose of making snow if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
The Standard Pole Cat, standing about eight feet tall, is a large three-wheeled structure that holds a barrel with a fan inside. The NHSC has engaged in a rent-to-own program with Snowmakers Inc., a Vermont based company. Farra and a company employee met halfway at Black Mountain in Rumford to bring the machine to its resting place in Aroostook County.
The machine is being housed at Paul Cyr’s farm on the State Road. Cyr has welcomed the club to make snow on his property. He has the necessary acreage and the one main ingredient—water. Currently there is not enough water at the NHC to make snow. However, McCain Foods has an 18-inch water main that runs through Cyr’s property with a hydrant onsite. Between McCain’s and Cyr, snow-making is now possible just in case.
“Obviously we would prefer the real white stuff,” said Farra. “It makes a better base and it is free. Both Mr. Cyr and McCain have been very generous to allow us to use their facilities, but the man-made snow will still have to be trucked four miles to the venue, and that can be costly. So we are crossing our fingers for lots of snow.”
Farra said the long-term plan is to drill a well or create a pond at the Center, so they can make snow on site. But for now they must improvise.
Next week, a committee will meet to discuss the necessity of making snow. They will look at the 10-day forecast, talk to a meteorologist, and then evaluate the situation.
“We are committed to hosting a high caliber event, the kind that athletes and coaches from around the world have come to expect,” explained Tim Vernon, current president of the NHSC. “If that means making the snow, we are prepared.”
The NHSC is still looking for volunteers for the event.
Any interested individuals should contact Heidi Bartley at info@nordicheritagecenter.org or 762-6972.